Super Bowl 46: Once Again, It's Patriots Vs. Giants
by Sean Yuille on Jan 23, 2012 10:54 AM EST
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Four years ago, the New York Giants stunned the 18-0 New England Patriots in Super Bowl 42. The Giants' 17-14 victory prevented Tom Brady and company from yet another ring and the first ever 19-0 season in NFL history. Now, the two teams will meet again in Super Bowl 46 on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis. No undefeated season is on the line, and neither starting quarterback is going for his first ring. Still, there is already a lot of hype surrounding this matchup after how the Patriots and Giants made it to the Super Bowl in the first place.
AFC Championship Game: Patriots 23, Ravens 20
Depending on your view of the play, we could very well be talking about a rematch of Super Bowl 35 right now if not for a drop by Lee Evans/a great defensive play by Sterling Moore. Evans briefly had the ball in his grasp in the end zone in the final seconds of Sunday's game. Had he been able to hang on, the Ravens would have taken the lead and in all likelihood won the game. The ball was dropped/knocked loose, however, and after another incompletion on the next play, the Ravens had to settle for a game-tying field goal. The play seemed rushed, and Billy Cundiff pushed the 32-yard attempt wide left. The Patriots avoided overtime and clinched yet another trip to the Super Bowl.
NFC Championship Game: Giants 20, 49ers 17 (OT)
Unlike the Patriots/Ravens game, the NFC title game did go to overtime. This was a classic defensive battle, and the Giants ultimately won it thanks to a fumble on a punt return by Kyle Williams. It was his second turnover of the day on a punt return, and this one led to a 31-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes that won the Giants the game and sent them back to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XLVI: Patriots vs. Giants (Feb. 5, 6:25 p.m., NBC)
The rematch of the 2008 Super Bowl features a Patriots team that hasn't lost a game since Nov. 6. Interestingly enough, that loss was at the hands of the Giants. New York, on the other hand, faced quite the letdown in the wake of that win in early November. The Giants lost four straight games after the win and actually lost five out of six after leaving New England. Thanks to wins in the final two weeks of the season, the Giants narrowly made the playoffs, and they carried that momentum into the postseason to win games against the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers.
Much like the Packers, the Patriots enter the Super Bowl with an explosive offense and a questionable defense. The Giants seem to be peaking on all fronts right now, including special teams. Right now I'm leaning toward giving Tom Brady the edge in his rematch with Eli Manning, but my mind could very well change in the next couple of weeks. What is your early prediction for the game?
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So it begins
this is why I wanted the 9ers to win. We’re going to hear “It’s just like 2007!” nonstop until the Super Bowl.
Great article Sean, glad you beat the flood so I could enjoy it.
"There's something out there, beyond the horizon in the corner of your eye. I'm going to find out what it is."
-Thomas Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer.
yeah this is the match-up nobody wanted
bet the ratings arent that great this year. i will have it on but doubt ill watch much past the commercials. i didnt want any of those teams anyway. cant we just skip the superbowl this year and start the offseason already?!
Completely disagree
New York is a big market and lots of Pats haters and fans out there. Not to mention the last matchup was a pretty damn good Superbowl.
I bet it gets huge ratings.
"My Mama once told me don't argue with fools, cause people from a distance can't tell who is who" - Jay Z
hell yeah
I am going to be watching. This match-up is loaded with recent history, bad blood, one Lock HOF QB who is pushing for GOAT status, another QB who is pushing to step out of his brothers shadow (something I think he already has done), Two coaches who have been there and done that.
Seeing replays of recent SB games is not a bad thing. It creates a rivalry on the biggest sport stage on the planet and we get to watch it.
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GROW THE F UP
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"Some people mistake the way I talk for the way I am thinking."
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agree
If Stafford played for the Giants and Manning played for the Lions, both having their same stats Eli would be the alternate and Stafford would be starting in the Pro Bowl.
by hasselhoff on Jan 23, 2012 6:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That's disgraceful, not even watching the game?
You are NOT a football fan if you don’t watch the SB, period.
President of the Tony Scheffler Fan Club
Uh, I didn't watch the last three Super Bowls
I had no rooting stake in any of them and had other things to do.
"There's something out there, beyond the horizon in the corner of your eye. I'm going to find out what it is."
-Thomas Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer.
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 23, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
You always have to watch.
I always root against the team whose win would hurt the Lions the most.
Last year, the Packers.
how could you not watch, regardless of who it is?
it’s the very last game of the greatest sport in the world that you’ll get to see for 7 months.
Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
I bELIeve in ELI!!!! - Primetime -
The Big Boy Cometh....Team Jacobs
Marines say Oorah; BBVer's say SUAMBP! say it with me - Suuaahmbp!!!!
This matchup won the poll on the site for the matchup people wanted to see most
…so your assessment is not correct.
Pride of Detroit, for Lions fans | SB Nation Detroit, for Detroit-area sports fans
by Sean Yuille on Jan 23, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
of course it won, sean
noone here seems to care for either of the harbaughs. those were the only other choices. yes the last one in ’07 was a good one. but i am flat out tired of the patriots. and i never like seeing a 9-7 team make it. and now it really kills me because i know we woulda been able to beat the Giants… we coulda helped ourselves!
I also disagree
This was the matchup I was hoping for, even though I’m not a fan of either team. This is a great matchup with some history. Tom Brady is just awesome. Just think about all the scrubs drafted before Brady. The guy is just a competitor. Should be a great game.
by hasselhoff on Jan 23, 2012 6:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I didn't not want this matchup because of the teams
I didn’t want it because the talking heads won’t shut up about ’07. I think this is going to be an awesome game.
"There's something out there, beyond the horizon in the corner of your eye. I'm going to find out what it is."
-Thomas Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer.
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 23, 2012 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
Ugh...
This was the worst potential matchup for me, precisely because both teams were there so recently. I hate seeing the same damn teams every year, and at least somewhat actively dislike both these teams.
Of course, I’ll still be watching, so I’m really just grumbling for grumbling’s sake here.
Still better than a Harbaugh bowl
Makes me sick just thinking about it. Hopefully Eli loses to the Pats so we can stop hearing about how “great” he is, a least Flacco finally got exposed yesterday.
Eli has been playing his ass off to me
You disagree?
"My Mama once told me don't argue with fools, cause people from a distance can't tell who is who" - Jay Z
Not really in the playoffs this year
but back up and take a look at his seasons. This is a guy who threw for 30+ tds only once in his career and has 189 totals tds and 160 total turnovers, oh yeah he plays in one of the weakest divisions in football. Nevertheless, he has a superbowl even if it was Trent DIlfer style and a pro-bowl even if it was favoritism.
Eli has earned his success this year.
He had just under 5000 yards passing, with a much worse O Line than Matthew Stafford had and also a worse run game as well. When the game is on the line, Eli has proven that he can get the job done. There is no shame in being ranked just behind a QB like Eli in the NFC.
I would love to see Matthew Stafford develop the pocket awareness and fourth quarter clutch play that Eli Manning has been showing most of his career. And I believe he will.
"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!
Stafford needs to work on his 4th quarter clutch play?
"Life's hard. It's even harder when you're stupid."
- John Wayne
by UndaDawg on Jan 23, 2012 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
no.
and Eli got lucky in overtime for this past game. ( I still acknowledge Eli is good though)
Playoffs for Christmas!!
by StaffordSuperBowlMVP on Jan 23, 2012 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
Uhh yes, please refer to the San Fran, Atlanta, even both New Orleans games.
I don’t expect perfection, but he was rightly criticized for some less than stellar play [especially clock management and pocket awareness] in the late stages of all of those games.
He is still young, and will get better with experience.
"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!
Disagree
I thought Stafford played great in the second NO game. He was so-so in the first. I’ll give you SF, but Atlanta was a mess from the start.
What about MIN 1, DAL, CAR, OAK??
I have no problem with Staff’s 4th quarter performance. Stafford has more 4th quater comebacks than anybody besides Eli. He just needs to be a bit more consistent all around, IMO.
"Life's hard. It's even harder when you're stupid."
- John Wayne
His fourth quarter was nothing to write home about.
And for the record, he does have a very good history over his career in the fourth quarter. Just not up to Eli’s current standard.
Considering he has only played just over twenty games, that is pretty amazing.
"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!
by NorthLeft12 on Jan 24, 2012 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
His td totals can likely be explained by the fact that the Giants like running the ball
in the red zone. With a rb like Jacobs, why wouldn’t you? Not that I am a fan of Peyton’s brother, but the dude is a baller.
Did you guys see the size of that chicken?
one of the weakest divisions in football?
outside of this season, i’d say the NFC East is one or two on the toughest divisions list every year. 3 out of the 4 teams have a chance to make noise every year, and the battles are classics. And his SB win was Trent Dilfer style? hehe, ok, i see someone’s still bitter about the pro bowl nomination, so i probably shouldn’t waste anymore time.
Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
I bELIeve in ELI!!!! - Primetime -
The Big Boy Cometh....Team Jacobs
Marines say Oorah; BBVer's say SUAMBP! say it with me - Suuaahmbp!!!!
I hope Ochocinco makes some plays in the Superbowl
Always loved that dude.
I think he got a real bad rep because of his show with TO. People think they’re similar for some reason. I guess it’s cause they both like the media spotlight. But 85 sure has disappeared since he got to NE (both on and off the field).
Condolences on the loss of his father. A TD pass during the SB would be a great way to soften such a heavy blow. I hope they use him, if just for a few plays.
Hang in there, Chad!
"Life's hard. It's even harder when you're stupid."
- John Wayne
Yeah, I've always liked him, too.
I’m not sure I would want him showboating if he were a Lion, but it was mildly entertaining (on a different team) back in the day.
Did you guys see the size of that chicken?
Damn the Steeler and Ratbird fans are at it hammer and tongs...
And I thought WCG was bad…some of those Steeler fans are something else.
http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2012/1/23/2727689/looks-good-on-you-ratbirds
"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short
Meh
That’s nothing. Worst blog award goes to Hogs Haven by far and wide and then WCG
House of Spears | My Detroit Lions/NFL Blog
Follow @THouseOfSpears
Uh...
HalosHeaven is by far the worst blog on SBNation. Don’t limit yourself to just NFL blogs.
"There's something out there, beyond the horizon in the corner of your eye. I'm going to find out what it is."
-Thomas Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer.
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 23, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
Meh
That’s too many blogs to judge since most of us stick to certain blogs. I stick to the Detroit sports blogs + the football ones.
House of Spears | My Detroit Lions/NFL Blog
Follow @THouseOfSpears
Well
for the most part I’m on here, Over the Monster, and Bless You Boys. I only go to other team’s blogs when we’re playing them to either say good game (if my team won, or if they lost and their fans were cool) or to say fuck you (if we lost and they were douchebags).
"There's something out there, beyond the horizon in the corner of your eye. I'm going to find out what it is."
-Thomas Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer.
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 23, 2012 6:45 PM EST up reply actions
As an NFC East guy, i wholeheartedly support this statement
Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
I bELIeve in ELI!!!! - Primetime -
The Big Boy Cometh....Team Jacobs
Marines say Oorah; BBVer's say SUAMBP! say it with me - Suuaahmbp!!!!
I love it!
NFC is represented by a ‘classic’ (old school) NFL team… A balance of great offense, great Defense, Great Special teams.
AFC is represented by a ‘classic(AFL)’ team… Big time passing and high paced offense, a fast defense, both unorthodox and deadly when executed properly…. Al Davis would be proud.
This game is going to be a throwdown… the only thing that sucks is the stupid Dome/controlled environment.
I’m an NFC fan first, so I’ll be rooting for the G-men and sure to be underdogs.
http://twitter.com/#!/rumbulls
Those great and fast defenses were ranked 27th and 31st in the league.
Do we need our defense to suck more to get to the Superbowl?
Did you guys see the size of that chicken?
i know it's hard to peel off some of the layers of that stat overall
but if you look at what the Giants have done in their last 6 games, right around the time our d-line got healthy, and our DC simplified things, we’ve given up an average of 15 pts a game, stopped the run with more consistency, and hit the hell out of QBs. so that 27th ranking is a little misleading.
Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
I bELIeve in ELI!!!! - Primetime -
The Big Boy Cometh....Team Jacobs
Marines say Oorah; BBVer's say SUAMBP! say it with me - Suuaahmbp!!!!
I would rather see this game played on grass, too.
I’m an NFC fan first, so I’ll be rooting for the G-men and sure to be underdogs.
All reasons I will also pull for them. I just have a feeling the Pats are coming out on top this time.
Did you guys see the size of that chicken?
Look on the bright side
Anthony Davis sure wasn’t happy
Friend:why do you love ripping on Jeff Francoeur?
Me: Because hes an idiot, who posseses huge physical tools but will not, nay, cannot, harness those tools into any sembelance of usable baseball skill and refuses to make any effort to do so. Hes like a tragic greek figure. doomed by his own stupidity and 80 raw power.
by harendaman365 on Jan 23, 2012 3:43 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Davis is one to talk.
He seemed to be pretty busy trying to bait the Giants into a personal foul. All he did was get his idiot TE riled up enough to commit a personal foul. He should just play the game and stop all this other nonsense.
"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!
by NorthLeft12 on Jan 24, 2012 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
Still laughing at the Harbaughless Bowl
We’ll see if Brady is overrated or not, they won despite his two picks and middling numbers.
Both Harbaughs can sit at home and cry with mommy and daddy
by hasselhoff on Jan 23, 2012 6:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Maybe Pop Harbaugh will bash their heads together like he did when they were kids.
Actual story from Harbaugh the Hamster.
No slogans. Just win!!!
John is a class act and one of the best coaches in the NFL IMO.
His brother Jim is a complete classless jerk. He went from the most over enthusiastic post game handshake with Schwartz, to the limpest/deadest handshake with Coughlin. Maybe he just should have waved from his side of the field before he started complaining about the refs again.
"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!
John is a class act
Ozzie Newsome runs a tight ship over there. The Balto fans sure dont like John’s dad in law as OC though.
"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short
by YpsilantiJeff on Jan 24, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
As long as the Niners aren't in it
I’m good. I like the Giants anyways. Screw off Harbaugh.
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